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Pittsburgh’s Out #32 November 1979

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Summary

This premiere issue of Pittsburgh’s OUT magazine from November 1979, number 32, for one dollar, covers various topics relevant to the gay community in Pittsburgh and nationally.

Note

Pittsburgh’s Out began numbering its issues as a continuation of Gay Life Pittsburgh, which concluded its publication run with issue #31.

Key articles and features include:

March on Washington: A first-hand report by Jim Austin on the Gay Freedom Train’s journey to the National March on Washington on October 14, where 250,000 gays and lesbians marched for their rights. Marc Holliday also provides a detailed account of the March itself, describing it as the largest peacetime demonstration in the nation’s capital’s history.
Culture Shock: An article highlighting a two-man theater company that uses humor to challenge the “straight” world and help gays laugh at themselves. They were scheduled to perform at the Bizarre Bazaar in Pittsburgh on November 10.
Thanksgiving at Home: A guide encouraging readers to cook their own Thanksgiving dinner with a provided menu.
Political Club Endorsements: The Political Club of Pittsburgh endorsed various candidates for the November 6 general election who they deemed worthy of gay support, including Robert Peirce and Cyril Wecht for county commissioner, and Michelle Madoff, Robert E. Kline, John Zingaro, and Tom Flaherty for Pittsburgh City Council. They urged voters not to vote for Tom Foerster or William Hunt due to their publicly pronounced homophobia.
Profiles: A profile of “T.I.” (Tonione Albatross), a dancer and activist involved in the Pittsburgh Committee for Human Rights and Lesbian and Gay Pride Week, who is working to start a “Third World Alliance” for LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters.
Controversial Appointments: Reubin Askew, a former Florida governor who endorsed Anita Bryant’s anti-gay campaign, was confirmed as Chief U.S. Trade Negotiator by the Senate, causing some controversy regarding his stance on hiring gay people. California’s Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Stephen Lachs, an openly gay man, to a judgeship in Los Angeles, believed to be a first in the country.
Gay Movement Challenges: The National Gay Task Force (NGTF) reported a dangerous shortage of funds, facing insolvency by January 1980. The New York-based Gay Activist Alliance (GAA) experienced resignations from three executive committee members due to internal ideological conflicts.
University of Pittsburgh VD Vaccine: A University of Pittsburgh scientist, Dr. Charles Brinton, reported promising results in his four-year effort to develop a vaccine against gonorrhea, tested on male volunteers.
FBI Discrimination Case: A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the FBI acted improperly in firing a gay mail sorter, Donald Ashton, without a hearing, challenging the Bureau’s right to dismiss employees in non-investigatory sections based on homosexuality.
“Lesbian and Gay” Terminology: An editorial addresses the increasing use of “Lesbian and Gay” and encourages gay men to accept the term, recognizing the growing and important role of lesbians in the gay movement.
Reader Feedback: Letters to the editor discuss topics such as the Post-Gazette‘s article revealing gay bar locations, Pittsburgh Mayor Richard Caliguiri’s perceived lack of support for the gay community, encouragement for living in East Allegheny, and a call for broader music reviews beyond disco.
Reviews: Reviews of music albums including Village People’s Live and Sleazy, Barry Manilow’s One Voice, and disco singles by Shobizz and Bob-A-Rela. There’s also a restaurant review for Lombardozzi’s in Bloomfield.
Cultural Events: Listings for various events in November, including performances by Double Exposure at 2001’s Cherchez La Femme Cabaret, Video Disco at the Safari Lounge, Mummenschanz and ballet companies at Heinz Hall, and Engelbert Humperdinck at Syria Mosque.
Travel and Guides: Bob Damron’s “Doing America” column focuses on the gay scene in Miami, including bars, restaurants, and resorts.

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